Sarreguemines, Forbach, Metz, March 19-20, 2025 – As part of a working visit to the Grand Est region of France, Kazakh researcher, historian, Professor Gulnara Mendikulova, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Strasbourg, held a series of meetings and negotiations with representatives of local authorities, archival institutions, and public organizations. The primary objective of these discussions was to identify burial sites of Soviet Kazakh soldiers who perished in this region during World War II.

During discussions with the City Hall of Sarreguemines and members of the patriotic association Souvenir Français in Forbach, historical archival documents provided by the French side were examined.

Professor Mendikulova also visited the Bains Saint Jean prisoner-of-war camp, as well as the departmental archives in Metz, where documents were discovered containing information about prisoners of war from the Kazakh SSR, including Babkov Vasily, Mukhamed Rakhimov, Morsabayev Sadvakas, and others.

Additionally, a meeting was held with representatives of the National Office for Veterans and War Victims in Metz, where discussions focused on further cooperation in researching the fates of Kazakh prisoners of war.

French colleagues, including E. Portugal and historian-publicist F. Vilmouth, expressed their willingness to continue joint efforts in locating burial sites, as well as exchanging expertise and information for the systematization of a comprehensive database. The parties emphasized the importance of this work in preserving historical memory and honoring the heroism of Kazakh soldiers during World War II, a particularly significant effort in the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.